IS THERE A ROLE FORFLUCONAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OFVULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS?

OBJECTIVE: To reviewthe data describingthe use of fluconazole in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). DATA IDENTIFICATION: A MEDLINEsearchof the English-language literature and a bibliographic reviewof pertinentarticlesexamining the use of fluconazole in the treatmentof vve. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Relevantopen and controlled studiesreportingon the efficacy,associated adverse effects, or both of fluconazole for the treatmentof vve are reviewed. Appropriate conclusionsand/ordata are extractedfrom each articleand described. DATA SYNTHFSIS: Studiescomparingfluconazole withketoconazole and topicalantifungal agentssuch as clotrimazole and miconazole have shownfluconazole to be equallyefficacious with minimal adverseeffects. Mostof these trialsused single-dose fluconazole, whichwould theoretically lead to a high degree of medicatio